Fabricio Werdum Gets Million-Dollar UFC Contract Extension

UFC heavyweight champion and upset specialist Fabricio Werdum (pictured) has signed a eight-fight contract extension with the UFC.

Financial terms of UFC contracts are never disclosed, but Werdum’s manager, Ali Abdel-Aziz, revealed on “UFC Tonight” that the deal is worth seven figures.

“To be honest with you, they didn’t have to do a new deal” Abdel-Aziz said. “We’re very thankful. [Werdum] wants to end his career as a UFC fighter, and the UFC was extremely supportive and generous.”

At 38, this contract essentially guarantees Werdum will retire in the UFC if he fulfills all eight bouts on the contract.

Werdum has quietly entered the conversation as best heavyweight in MMA history given his track record. With quality wins over Gabriel Gonzaga (2), Alistair Overeem, Brandon Vera, Antonio Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, Roy Nelson, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Travis Browne, Mark Hunt and Cain Velasquez, who were all relatively in their primes, it can be argued that no heavyweight has a better resume.

Werdum breaks in his new contract – and more importantly, his heavyweight title – in an immediate rematch with Velasquez at UFC 196 on February 6.